TELL (ON) Synonyms: 85 Similar and Opposite Words

tell (on)

verb

Definition of tell (on)

as in to affect

to act upon (a person or a person's feelings) so as to cause a response the pressure of final exams is beginning to tell on the students in the dorm

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to talk

to give information (as to the authorities) about another's improper or unlawful activities detectives convinced the perpetrators in custody to tell on their associates

Synonyms & Similar Words

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for tell (on)

Verb

Our research suggests these tombs were designed and constructed not simply to house the dead, but to affect the living through a sensorily immersive environment similar to a modern 3D film experience.

— Jacqueline Ortoleva, Scientific American, 3 Oct. 2026
At that altitude, even small changes in orientation can affect where an instrument looks on the ground.

— Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 3 Oct. 2026

Definition of affect

Verb

Instead of the live stream being cut, or at the very least muted between players talking to reporters, KCRA's rolled on, and two female reporters in attendance were caught making quite the admissions about LaVine and Simmons.

— Mark Harris OutKick, FOXNews.com, 29 Sep. 2026
Following the operation, Dasha will be on complete vocal rest — absolutely no talking allowed — for two weeks, then will begin vocal rehab to learn how to talk and sing properly a few weeks later.

— Melinda Newman, Billboard, 29 Sep. 2026

Definition of talk

Verb

And so there are friends who are hustling, pivoting to influencing in an effort to get money, to try to figure out how to capitalize on this moment.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 28 Sep. 2026
She was seen performing the valle, likely influenced by the region of Kosovo her family is from, while wearing a backless black dress with feathers on the neckline.

— Latoya Gayle, PEOPLE, 28 Sep. 2026

Definition of influence

Verb

Upon stepping at the brand’s showroom here, one could be met with an explosion of tangerine hues informing unfussy tops, tunics and cotton dresses cut in essential shapes and infused with vitaminic energy.

— Martino Carrera, Footwear News, 28 Sep. 2026
The app can also track who goes through your door and when, sending notifications to keep you informed.

— George Yang, PC Magazine, 28 Sep. 2026

Definition of inform

Verb

And the Heat’s new superstar, Giannis Antetokounmpo, is already impressed by Nelson’s skills on the microphone.

— Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 30 Sep. 2026
While the polyester fabric isn’t ideal, I was impressed by the coat’s thickness and weight, which gave it a more luxurious feel than typical poly-blend coats.

— Irene Richardson, InStyle, 29 Sep. 2026

Definition of impress

Verb

Now 24, the catcher can impact a baseball like few others who play his position, but he gets injured often, his defense appears to be declining and his bat is streaky.

— Abbey Mastracco, New York Daily News, 26 Sep. 2026
If your flight is impacted, speak to a customer service agent at the airport and Hopper recommends reaching out to the airline through their app or by giving them a call at the same time as well.

— Ayesha Ali, ABC News, 26 Sep. 2026

Definition of impact

Verb

Reiki sessions are therapeutic and intuitive, as the practitioner hardly touches the body, and aromatic local herbs and spices are put to use during the two-hour Royal Balinese Boreh treatment that references centuries-old rituals.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 1 Oct. 2026
In the tape of the 9-1-1 call, Randolph can be heard disregarding paramedic’s orders, giving Causse chest compressions even after he was instructed to not touch the body.

— CT Jones, Rolling Stone, 30 Sep. 2026

Definition of touch

Verb

Harris was driving a 2014 Buick Enclave south near Sandy Ridge Road when the vehicle crossed the center line and left the roadway, striking the guardrail, becoming airborne and overturning, the report says.

— Rafael Escalera Montoto, Arkansas Online, 30 Sep. 2026
Shots also struck the wall of a nursery their small children were in.

— ABC News, ABC News, 29 Sep. 2026

Definition of strike

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Browse Nearby Words

tell off

tell (on)

tells

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“Tell (on).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tell%20%28on%29. Accessed 4 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of tell (on)

verb

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